Self help

Coming on the heels of a number of stories this past week on medical tests of psilocybin and their truly astonishing potential, Ben and Vazken talk about the therapeutic uses of psilocybin. Are mushrooms an emerging miracle drug, and can they be used to reconnect us to our in environment in a time of ecological crisis?

From an environmental point of view, the clock on the way we live is running out -- and fast. In this episode of The Daily Banter's 'Meaning of Life Podcast' Ben and Vazken ponder whether we're better off trying to reform and revitalize our existing institutions or whether we should just get busy building alternatives?

Are you experiencing Post-Trump-atic Stress Syndrome? What does a Trump presidency mean for our society, the world, and our personal lives? In the latest episode of the Banter's Meaning of Life Podcast, Ben and Vazken talk through what a Donald Trump presidency could mean for you and how you can begin to take charge of your life when society seems to be careening out of control.

The state of overwhelm stalks us at each moment in modern life, ready to take us under.Ben and Vazken discuss the importance of chilling the fuck out, what derails us, and how to get back to an internal solid, centered self at peace with the abounding external chaos.

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Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Life can be a series of monotonous moments on autopilot. Is there an underlying meaning to it all? What's the point?Ben and Vazken dive into the deep end on this one in episode 19 of The Meaning of Life Podcast.

Coping with adversities - great and small - is an inseparable part of being alive. How do we know when adversities can push us into new frontiers and lead to personal evolution and when might the universe be telling us to chart a new course entirely?

Taking a leap and bringing newness into the world requires a bit of healthy self-delusion to embark on something new and different than what has come before. Ben and Vazken talk about the merits and trappings of 'faking it till you make it.'

The Meaning of Life Podcast #8 is now out! Hear how Banter Editor Ben Cohen took one too many blows to the head, but learned to control his emotions and develop discipline through rigorous training in the Martial Arts.

In this episode of The Daily Banter's Meaning of Life Podcast, Ben and Vazken discuss self-esteem. Does your sense of self-worth determine how happy you are? Why do some people appear to have more self-esteem than others, and is it possible to develop it as a life skill?

Of all the bullshitters in the industry, the most dangerous are the most seemingly genuine, and Tony Robbins is probably the best in the business. Much of what Robbins says is probably quite helpful, and it would be dishonest to dismiss him as a complete fraud. Many people swear by his methods and based on testimonials, it appears he has helped a lot of people. Robbins is engaged in a lot of charity and does (sometimes) come across as a genuinely compassionate person. But there is a sinister side to his personal empowerment empire, and it is built upon the same fraudulent premise as the US economy itself.